Child Life Students: Practicum and Internship Opportunities

Child Life Practicum Program

Child Life Practicum opportunities are available each Summer at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

The Child Life Practicum Program at Nicklaus Children's Hospital provides students a variety of opportunities for an observation experience under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist in his/her designated unit.
Through these observations, practicum students will see how a Certified Child Life Specialist uses child development to make assessments and provide interventions to help aid in patients and families coping within the hospital setting. Interventions are and are not limited to: developmentally appropriate diagnosis and procedural teaching, distraction during medical procedures, medical play sessions, therapeutic play, special events, legacy building and bereavement support.

Child Life Practicum Length

The practicum lasts a minimum of sixteen weeks, eight hours per week, for a total of 150 hours.

Child Life Practicum Application Requirements

To be considered for a Child Life Practicum, students must be pursuing a bachelor's degree and have at least a Junior level status (at the time of the practicum).
Suggested majors for Practicum candidates are:

Child Life

Child Development

Family and Human Development

Early Childhood Education

Special Education

Recreation Therapy and Psychology

Selection of practicum students is determined based on a variety of criteria that include: academics, previous experience working with children, references, and an interview. Practicum student should at least be in their junior year of college. Post graduate applicants are also considered for a practicum opportunity.

Child Life Practicum Program Application Forms

Child Life Internship Program

Child Life Internship opportunities are available each Spring at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
Internship application guidelines and deadlines are set by the Association of Child Life Professionals.

The Child Life Internship Program at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, provides students a variety of opportunities for experience and practice in providing Child Life interventions that help reduce the stress and anxieties that accompany hospitalization. While earning Child Life student clinical hours interns will be mentored in the assessment process of providing developmentally appropriate diagnosis and procedural teaching, distraction during medical procedures, medical play sessions, therapeutic/expressive play interventions , legacy building and bereavement support.

Child Life Internship Length

The Child Life internship is a minimum of fifteen weeks, 40 hours per week, for a total of 600 hours.

Child Life Internship Application Requirements

To be considered for a Child Life Internship, students must be in the process of pursuing a bachelor’s degree and have senior level status or are graduate students earning a degree in a suggested child development related major.
Suggested majors for Internship candidates are:

Child Life

Child Development

Family and Human Development

Early Childhood Education

Special Education

Recreation Therapy and Psychology

Selection of Child Life interns is determined based on a variety of criteria that include: academics, previous experience working with children in or outside of hospital setting, references, and an interview. Please note that due to the high number of applicants and limited space, we are unable to grant every applicant an interview.